Llera Looking Forward to Magpies Fixture

Miguel Llera's youth team are back in action this weekend against Notts County, and the boss is hopeful his side can build on the 2-1 victory over Hartlepool United last time out.

The young Spireites ended a run of three matches without a victory last Saturday, thanks to a late Aaron Sennett-Neilson winner, after Levi Amantchi saw his first-half opener cancelled out.

Although Llera was far from satisfied with the overall team performance against Hartlepool, he has faith his side can get back into a winning habit - starting with a positive result versus County.

Chesterfield will be fairly familiar with the challenges the Magpies can pose as they have already faced off twice this season - once in the league and once in the cup - with both sides picking up a victory each.

"I think we are going to play against a really good side, who are in really good form," Llera said.

"It's going to be difficult because Notts County are a really tough team who know how to play but hopefully we can try to harm them with the weapons we have."

Over the next week, they face three crunch matches against teams who currently sit above them in the EFL Youth Alliance North East table, but the manager insists he isn't looking much further ahead than the trip to Notts County on Saturday (11am).

The Spaniard added: "The most important game to focus on is the next one.

"Taking a game-by-game approach can make it a bit easier to motivate the players and to organise the week."

To gear them up for the big clash, Llera's men have been training with the first team ahead of their own huge match against Mansfield this weekend.

And for many of the youngsters, it was a massive opportunity to catch the eye of manager Jack Lester.

Llera continued: "Every time that they can show what they can do in front of the first team manager is it a chance to impress.

"They trained really well today and I think they showed Jack how capable they are."